AUDI unleashed its outrageously powerful new second generation RS 7 Sportback at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

More power - 592bhp and 800Nm of torque - meets greater practicality and improved efficiency in the new second generation model, which for the first time houses five seats and a mild hybrid drivetrain within its significantly broadened body.

Available in the UK in ‘standard' and top tier Vorsprung forms, the latest addition to the fast-growing Audi Sport stable is due to reach its first customers here early next year.

For the first time, Audi Sport is offering the five-door RS 7 Sportback with a three-seater rear bench. When its split seat backs are folded down up to 1,390 litres of luggage space is available, and when five adults are on board 535 litres remains at their disposal.

Matched to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, the 4.0 TFSI in the new RS7Sportback produces 592bhp and delivers 800Nm of torque within a broad range from 2,100 to 4,500rpm.

It will sprint from 0 to 62mph in only 3.6 seconds and reach an electronically limited 155mph.

Thanks to its mild hybrid system (MHEV) with a 48-volt main on-board electrical system, and cylinder-on-demand technology, the 4.0TFSI combines maximum performance with high efficiency. Working together, Audi says the systems reduce fuel consumption by as much as 0.8litres per 100kilometres.

The RS 7 Sportback comes with quattro permanent all-wheel drive but it now has a new launch control function. Drive forces are distributed to the front and rear axles in a 40:60 ratio via the purely mechanical centre differential. Up to 70 per cent can flow to the front wheels and up to 85 per cent to the rear.

Five-link front and rear axles handle the lateral and longitudinal forces independently in the new RS7Sportback, and are combined with RS-specific adaptive air suspension with controlled damping, automatic levelling and three driving modes. In the normal position, the body of the new RS7Sportback sits 20millimetres lower than the AudiA7Sportback with standard suspension, and at speeds higher than 74mph it drops by a further 10millimetres.

The driver can determine the character of an RS7Sportback using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, which features six profiles - comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and the customizable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes.

RS sport seats upholstered with perforated Valcona leather are standard, positioning the driver perfectly behind the flat-bottomed, sport leather steering wheel.